Filler for egg cartons



April 22,1930. L l E 1,755,208

FILLER FOR EGG CARTONS Filed June 19, 1928 v2 Sheets-Sheet l J. L. can;

April'22, 1930. v C Y E 1,755,208

. FILLER FOR EGG QARI'ONS Filed June 19, 1928 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Patented A a (2 2, 1930 I iJNI E STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH LEO POLD COYLE, LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO EPHRAIM BANNING; TRUSTEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FILLER FOR EGG GARTONS Application filed June 19,

My invention relates to improvements in fillers for egg cartons, and the object of the invention is to devise a filler or other self-supporting egg carrier which will provide in- 7 dividual cushion support for the eggs, which will prevent breakage or pressure of one egg against another when a number of cartons or fillers are superposed, and, which will hold the eggs in such position that the ends thereof will not press against any underlying eggs or objects with a conse uent tendency to breakage. It is also an o ject to provide a filler which may be collapsed into compact form for the purpose 0f shipment, and which may be locked rigid when the filler is set up to partially broken away to exhibit the construction of my filler inserted therein;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view'of the filler re- .movedfromthe carton;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View through the carton and filler and showing the 1 position of the eggs therein; j Fig. 4, which is a perspective detail on a reduced scale of one of the transverse walls of the filler and a fragmentary portion of one of the longitudinal partitions, shows these parts in position ready to be interlocked; f Fig. 5 is a, cross sectional view of; an alternative construction; 4 Fig. 6 is a transverse section through a filler representing a further-modified con struction, I Q yFig. 7 is a plan view thereof, on reduced scale, illustrating the manner of its collapse; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the filler construction shown in Fig. 6;

" Fig. 9, which is aview similar to Fig. '6,

J to this point.

1928. Serial No. 286,538.

shows a further modification of the invention;

' Fig. 10, which is also a view similar to Fig. 6, shows a still further modification of the invention; I

Fig. 11 is a detail in section taken on line 11 .of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a transverse section through a filler representing a still different modification in the construction.

' In the drawingslike characters of reference indicate corresponding. parts in each figure.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, I have, shown a carton l of conventional'construction havingits lid 1 in the open position. V

The filler comprises a series of. parallel cross walls 3 formed of cardboard, or the like, each wall being provided centrally with an open ended slot 4 extending from the lower edge of the wall and centrally thereof vertically to a point intermediate of the height of the wall. erably chamfered off as indicated at 4* to permit of the easy insertion of'a central longitudinal partition which-engages therewith as will hereinafter appear.

I have provided also an opening fi 'w'hichis preferably rectangularand located above the upper end of the slot 4 and adjacent thereto so as to leave the transverse portion 5 be-; tween the opening-5 and the slot 4., Extend-- ing from the loweredge of each wall 3- are open ended slots v6 and 7 arranged adjacent to the end-edges of the walls-and of peculiar construction. The inner vertical wall of each of these slots is provided at its lower end with The lower end of the slit is pref a ratchet tooth shaped projection 8. The vopposing edge of the outer wall inclines upwardly and inwardly as indicated at 9 to a point above the upper end-of the ratchet tooth 8 and then inclines outwardly in an opposite Y direction, as indicated at 10, to form a wide upper portion to each'slot 6 and7, the incline of the edge 10 being directed to the upper end of the tooth 8 at the root, The upper-edge 11 of the slot is preferably formed concentric p n the filler assembly are certain longitudi nal partitions 12, 13 and 14 which connect collapse of the filler. The intermediate body the cross walls 3 together in spaced relation portion 20 by this movement is carried into i so as to form egg receiving cells. The cenengagement with'the inclined edge 10 of the tral longitudinal partition 12 is provided slot 6 or 7 holding the partition 13 or 14 in with a series of open ended slots extending an inclined position, and thereby producing vertically down from the upper edge thereof, an egg receiving cell which is wide at the as indicated atl5. One edge of this vertical top'and narrow at the bottom. When in this slot is provided with a ratchet tooth 16 and g the opposite edge of the slot is preferably serted in 'the cell formed by the cross walls curved around this tooth, as indicated by and partitions 12and 13 or 12 and 14, the dotted lines in Fig. 1, the upper cornersof the sides of the egg engaging the central vertical slot being chamfered off, as indicated at 17 partition and the inclined outer partitions,

In order to interlock the cross walls and and thereby gripping the egg so that it cancentral longitudinal partitions, it is necesnot drop through the bottom of the filler as sary merely to engage the slot 15 of the parwould be the case in ordinary constructions' tition with the slot 4 of the cross wall until It will thus be seen that each egg 21 is the tooth 16 springs into engagement with resiliently supported upon the inclined parthe opening 5, thereby locking the cross walls tition 13 or 14, the upper edge ,of which bears and central partition together.- The connece against the adjacent longitudinal wallof tion thus provided is such that the cross walls the carton. Also by the inclination of the I Y may swing from their transverse position to side partitions, the point of an egg, as indiwardly. Slits 19 extend downward from the struction for the cartonv 22 in which is ar-',

' brought against the opposite faces of the cena position parallel with the partitions when cated at 21*, is carried inward so that the egg as a whole assumes an inward inclined the filler is collapsed.

The outer partitions 13 and 14 are proposition so that there is no danger of a point-' vided with notches 18 in their lower edge ed egg projecting down ward through the spaced apart to correspond with the distance bo tom of the cell so as to press against an between the cross walls. The side edges of gg n ined in an underlying carton. these notches are preferably, inclined in- In Flg. 5 I have shown an alternative conupper dg f th t titi d i ranged a filler having cross walls 23 each Vertical central alignment with the notches formed Wlth a P 310i? 2 and an p g 18 leaving therebetween an intermediate por- 26, also a longitudinal partition 27 the. slots ti 20 f th h d 25, openings 26 and longitudinal partition Whe th outer titi 13 d 14 Q8 27 corresponding to the construction already engaged with the cross walls 3, the slits 19 are /g 111 91111 151011 Wlth the remaining passed intoengagement with the open ended g In thls sld Slots slots 6 and 7 so that the'intermediate por- 28 and 29 P P K Q fi fi e Slots 6 tion20 is carried above the ratchet tooth 8. d 7 prevlously 7 lnstead of being When carried to this position, the upper end l C h Outer e l ge of he cross dg f th t h 18 rests upon th upper wall are formed ad acent the center ofthe horizontal edge of the tooth 8. Normally Such Slots belng 0f the Same general means oftheir construction permit a swingg y 111 P P h Outer pa ti i engagement ith th cross ll 3 so th t 30 and 31 also correspond in construction to when these walls are swung upon the ceni Paint-1011513 and14abut Instead tral partitions 12, as'previously described, s pw ly and outwardly lnclmed the partitions 13 and 14 are carried in oppo- 1 are Permltted to Q to an site longitudinal, directions so as to be wardlyand downwardly lnchned P05111011 tition 27 downwardly towards each outer wall of the carton. By this means a resilient support for the eggs is provided, the eggs tral artition, thereby collapsing the filler intov at form making it convenient for shipment.

eggs, the outer partitions 13 and 14 are inentending from eaeh'side ofthe central parclined outwardly from the position shown at tltion i the left hand side of Fig. 1 to the position at he amplitude of the upper arc-shaped the ri ht hand side thereof, and as shown in edge 32 is v y much larger n h of the FigsL- and 3. By this swinging'movement correspondmg 3 0 the Slots 6 7 the notch 18 is carried from a position in andthe pl g edge 'iI1oliI1e w alignment with the open ended slot 601'7 past dly to the lower end of this arc-shaped the ratchet tooth 8 so as to extend at each side edge instead of inclining upwardly as indiof the cross wall body, and'thereby efi'ectuaI- catedat IO in the first described construction,

1y prevent the swinging movement between So hat the ou er partitions are held in a the outer partitions and the cross walls as downwardly inclinedposition instead of an previously described, and thereby preventing upwardly inclined position as described.

osition, an egg indicated at 21 may be in-' extending from the central longitudinal partiti 13 d 14 ti l d b formation as the slots 6 and 7, but differing Wh n it i5 dgir d t fill th fill ith being held in an outwardly inclined position i I lift the Whole filler, together with eggs contained therein, from the carton for removal to any desired location withoutdanger of the eggs slipping therefrom, the filler thus serving as amedium by which the eggs. may be carried from one point to another, the same as though placed in a basket. 'The invention may be variously modified. and several examples of alternate construction are set forth in Figs. 6 to 12 to which reference will now be made. I

In the example shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the several crosswalls 35 are provided with slots which are generally similar in design to the slots 28 and 29 illustrated in Fig. 5. Each slot is formed with an entering port-ion 36, preferably flared inwardly to provide a narrow gap having adjacent its outer side a shoulder 37 Opposite this shoulder and starting at a slightly higher elevation is a ledge 38 having a slight downward slant. At

the inner end of this ledge is formed an arcuate edge 39 which'swings around upwardly and outwardly to join a vertical edge 40 which rises from a-point adjacent the shoulder 37. This arcuate edge has for its center a point in the region of the gap which lies between, the entering slot portion 36 and its enlarged upper portion 41 defined by the led e 38, arcuate edge 39and vertical edge 40. he slot just described is located relatively close to one of the ends of the cross wall and is matched by a second slot, reversed in position,near the opposite cross wall end. Also centrally of each cross Wall are two aligned vertical slots 42 and 43 the former extending upwardly from the lower edge for perhaps half the height of the wall. Between these two slots is an intervening body portion 44. The upper slot may be slightly wider than the --other for reasons which will presently apear.

Extending through all the cross walls is a central partition 45 having slots '46 cut inwardly fromiits upper edge at points correv sponding to the positions of the several cross walls. Each slot is shown as gently curved for a portion'of its length and then straightened out at its lower end-where a shoulder in the form of s. projecting ratchet tooth 47 is provided. This tooth overhangs the lower straight portion of the slot wherein is received the cross wall body portion 44 lying between the two slots 42 and 43. In bringing the pari5 tition into this position relative to the cross dotted lines in Fig. 6)

all three partitions are be collapsed, fully collapsed, the shouldered side of the enwalls, it is necessary to force the latter past the tooth 47 which thereafter prevents casual separation of these parts.

Two other partitions 48 exactly alike are also extended through the several cross walls adjacent the opposite ends thereof. These latter partitions have vertical aligned slots 49 and 50 extending inwardly from their upper and lower edges 51 and 52, respectively, but separated by an intervening body portion 53 which is adapted to rest upon the ledge 38. The opposite edges of the lower slot 50 may also diverge to providea widened inner end. Such a slot is shown also in Fig. 11.

These outer partitions 48 are .adapted to swing from a vertical position (as shown by or container in which the filler is placed.'

where they are in parallelism with the central partition 45, through When so positioned, as shown in Fig. 6, these two edges '51 lieclose to each other on opposite sidesof the central partition, the two outer partitions being inclined slightly toward each other to provide slantingbottoms for the cells between the cross walls. These bottoms, it should be noted, are elevated by the support afforded by the ledges 38 so as to suspend in an elevated position the eggs or other objects contained within the cells.

' In swinging to the serviceable position just described, the body portion 53 is guided by the arcuate edge 39 so as to maintain the filler components in their intended relation. In

'this movement the partition pivots on the.-

shoulder. 37. In the initial position wherein parallel, the filler may as suggested in Fig. 7. When tering slot 36 may be received within one of the widened sides of the slot 49. In assembling the outer partitions in place, it is necessary to force the body portion past the shoulder 37 of each cross Wall, but when in final position the parts are locked. thereby against separation.

In the use of a filler constructed in accordance with Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the eggs are protected against shocks transmitted through the carton bottom by means of their suspension or cushion support on the partition 48. Should eggs on opposite sides of the central partition vary greatly in size, it is possible for this partition to shift laterally whereverv necessary one way or the other within the limits of the widened slots43. In so doing, the

partition will be bent slightly from the position which is determined by its sup ortelsewhere so-that each egg will be held rmlybesite ends adjacent the bottom. Each slot has gap at the upper side of which is a shoulder 57. Beyond this gap the slot proceeds with an upper horizontal edge 58 and a lower edge 59 which is downwardly slanted to provide a ledge, these two edges being joined at their inner ends by a. vertical edge 60. This cross wall is also formed with a central vertical slot extending inwardly from its upper edge. This'latter slot may have a flaring entering portion v61 terminating in a gap at one side of which is a shoulder 62 which overhangs an enlarged inner slot end which is defined by one vertical edge 63 and an arcuate edge 64 extending therefrom laterally and upwardly to the shoulder. The arcuate edge has for its center a point in the region of the gap.

Associated with a' plurality of cross walls such as has just been described are three longitudinally extending partitions. The central partition 65 is provided with aligned vertical slots extending inwardly from its upper and lower edges and separated by intervening body portions 66 which may be forced past the shoulders 62 to'rest in the enlarge-d inner ends of the central slots in the several cross walls. Dueto the widened inner'end of these slots last referred to, the bodyportions 66 are free to swing around through 90 degrees or so when it is desired to move the central partition from a horizontal to a vertical position, or vic versa. The other two partitions 67 which are alike in all respects are interengaged with the lateral slots of the several cross walls. These latterpartitions are slotted substantially the same as in the central partition with a body portion 68 intervening between each pair of aligned slots. These body portions may be forced past the shoulders 57 into position adjacent the inner ends of the lateral slots, as indicated in Fig. 9. The outer partitions are then suspended along these outeredges so as to'provide a cushion support for eggs which may be confined in the cellular spaces between the cross walls, the central partition, andthe vertical walls of the carton '(not shown). To collapsethis filler the inner-edges of the outer partitions are raised until these parts are in horizontal alignment, and the central partition is swung to a horizontal position, as indicated by dotted lines, following which the entire filler may be folded down to occupy a minimum space. 5

In Figure 10 I have further simplified the construction. In this instance .eacli. cross wall 69 is provided centrally with -a double slot extending inwardly from its bottom edge.

The two branches of this slot are disposed along opposite sides of a diamond-shaped tongue 70 which cooperates with projecting shoulders 71 to provide two gaps beyond which are flaring end portions bordered out,- wardly by vertical edges 72 and inwardly by the slanting edge of the diamondtongue.

have been suggested in detail.

intersecting components,

' therein specified.

ing a plura With cross walls so constructed but two artitions 73 need be employed. These are a kc and are ada ted for interengagement one within each ranch of the double slot Just described. Each partition is slotted inwardly from its upper and lower edges in such manner as to provide an intervening body portion 74 (see Eig. 11 also in this construction). The two partitions may stand vertically in parallelism, permitting the filler then to collapse, or slantingly with their upper edges juxtaposed so as to provide a cushion lateral support for eggs in the cellular spaces between the cross walls, the filler being then locked in a rigid condition against collalpse.

A further construction as disclosed in 12 remains to be considered. Here the cross walls 69 are double slotted centrally as in the construction last described, in addition to which other vertical slots, similar to thelateral slots of Fig. 9, are provided. These several slots in the construction of Fig. 12 are designated by reference numerals the same as are the portions of the corresponding slots just mentioned. The same applies also to the two central partitions. Two outer partitions 7 5 additionally are provided, and each is slotted the same as the remaining partitions 7 3, there being intervening body portions 7 6, which engage within the outer slots the same as do the corresponding portions 68 of the partitions 67 in the slots of Fig. 9. Thefour partition construction, as suggested in Fig. 12, provides an outside slanting wall for each cellular space, in addition to 'an inner slant-v ing wall therefor, the effect being to form V-pockets for the eggs which are suspended above the carton bottom and removed from the outside walls thereof. When all four partitions are straightened up intoparallelism the filler may be collapsed, but not otherwise.

The inventive idea herein disclosed ma be expressed in many forms a few of whic 1..

I It comprises 1n every nstance a cellular egg carrier having one set havinga l swinging mounting relative to the other set such as to permit of a condition of parallelism necessary for folding purposes. One set of these components may also occupy slantmg positions in which they are supported by engagement with the other set' of components. These several features have already been dwelt upon in the-preceding description. Accordingly I desire'to be protected to'the full extent of the appended claims without regard to details of .cross walls, and means prov dlng a pivotal engagement between the.cross walls and partitions adjaconstruction except. as

longitudinal 1 cent the lower edges-of the latter to permit swinging of the partitions when in set up position from a verticalposition between the cross walls to a slanting position relative to the vertical, whereby to resist collapsing of the holder or filler and provide supporting surfaces for eggs.

2. In an egg holder or filler, a plurality of cross walls each having a slot extending from its lower ed' e having an enlargedupper end, a partition aving a slot extending from its up er edge in alignment with each cross wa l, the two sets of slots being interfitting, and the cross walls being so constructed as to provide a pivotal support for the partition whereby the partition may swing from a vertical position to a slanting position"relative to the vertical when in set up position, whereby to'resist'collapsing ofthe filler and provide supporting surfaces for eggs.

{3. A collapsible egg holder or filler, com prlsing a plurality of cross walls, a plurallty of partitions coacting with the cross walls to form egg receiving spaces, engaging means between the cross walls and partitions permitting the walls and partitions to swing from a position at right angles to each other to a parallel or collapsed position, the partitions being so formed as to swing toan angle relative to the vertical, and means when tile partitions areswung to such an angle for automatically locking the partitions and cross walls from swinging to a collapsed position. 4. In a filler for egg cartons, a plurality of cross walls each formed with a slot tending from its lower edge and. having an ing 5.5

-I a filler for egg C n as enlargedupper end, one edge of the slot being vertical and-the upper portion of the opposing edge being inclined outward towards the upper end of the slot to form an enlargement, a partition having a slot extending from its upper edge in alignment with each cross Wall,-

M0 sets of slots being interfitting, and a pro ection extending from the vertical edge of each wall slot to-form a pivotal suppport for the partition in direct longitudinal alignment with the inclined edge of the slot.

5. In a filler foregg cartons, a plurality of cross walls eachhaving a slot extending from its lower edge, one edge of the slot being vertical and the upper portion of the opposing edge being inclined to enlarge the upper end of the slot, a partition having a slot extendfrom its upper edge in alignment with each cross wall, a ratchet tooth projection extending from the vertical edge-of each wallslot in proximity to its lower end having the short-arm of the tooth extending horizontally to form a pivotal support for the partition when the latteris swun from the vertical position against the vertical edge of the slot to ,an-incline'd position against the opposing inclined edge of the slot.

a plurality of cross walls each having a slot extending from its lower edge, one edge of the slot being vertical and the opposite edge being inclined in opposite directions from its ends, a ratchet tooth projection extending from the vertical edge ofthe slotin proximity to its lower end and having its apex adjacent the apex formed by the inclined edge portions ofthe opposing side of the slot, a partition having a slot extending from its upper edge in alignment with each cross wall, there being a notch extending 'from the lower edge of the partition in vertical alignment with each slot, the bases of the notches being adapted to bear upon the horizontal edges of the ratchet notches to per mit the partition to swing from a vertical posing inclined portions of such slots in which latter position collapsing of the filler is reprised a plurality of cross walls upstanding in parallel vertical planes, a pair of partitions intersecting the cross-walls on each ide of the center thereof, said partitions be- I i g so constructed and connected to the crossalls as to permit the partitions to be arranged into or out of paralleleism, whereby toprovide support against collapse of, the cross-walls when in said last namedposition.

9. In a collapsible egg holder or filler which is adapted to collapse without disasa plurality of cross walls, and at least sembly, two longitudinal partitions interlocked with the cross walls by interengaging' slots and notches, one of said partitions being transversely slotted to straddle the lower portion ofthe cross walls, whereby said partition may .be rearranged relative to another partition in set up position of the, filler to provide an egg supporting surface for each cell and to brace the cross walls to resist collapsing of the filler.

10. An egg holder or plurality of cross walls and a plurality of partitions, each crosswall and partition having interlockingenga ementwith each other, certain of the partitions beingtransversely slotted to permit intersection therewith of certain portions of the cross walls, whereby acol lapsing of the filler is permitted by one arrangement of said partitions, while a second arrangement, of said partitions relative to the cross walls provides an egg sup,-

position against the vertical edges of the wall slots to an inclined position against the op-' a brace for each cross wall to which position of the partitions the filler may be collapsed, said partitions being slotted to swing and straddle a lower portion of each cross wall when swung to provide a slanting egg supporting surface for each cell and to resist collapsing of the filler when in set up position.

12. In an egg holder or filler, a plurality of cross walls each provided with laterally spaced apertures, a central partition extending longitudinally of the filler and having means interlocking with an aperture in each cross wall, and side partitions also extend inglongitudinally of the filler and arranged adjacent each side edge of the cross walls and being so constructed as to interlockwith other apertures therein to assume parallel vertical planes in which position of the partitions the filler may be collapsed, said side partitions being transversely slotted to swing and straddle a lower portion of each cross wall to each side of said central partition when swung to provide a slanting egg supporting surface between each cross wall and to provide a brace for each cross wall to prevent collapse of the filler when in set up position.

13. In a collapsible egg holder or filler,

a plurality of cross walls each formed with laterally spaced irregular slots extending inwardly from the lower edge thereof and providing lateral projections partially obstructing each slot, and a plurality of partitions each formed to interlock with the irregular slots of the cross walls and'pivot. upon the lateral projections, the'slotsof the cross walls being so shaped asfto permit independent, swinging movement of the partitions relative to the cross walls, whereby said partitions will be shifted away from each other to turn 'such strips into slanting positions with converging portions of the strips remote from the receiving edges engaging the egg to sustain the same from below upon opposite sides thereof.

9Signed at Chicago, this 18th day of May,

JOSEPH LEOPOLD GOYLE.

may be swung. on their pivots from a vertical position, in which position the holder or filler may be collapsed, toa slanting position to resist collapsing of the holder or filleran provide supportin surfacesfor eggs 14. En egg hol er or iii 'lercompr'i ng, a plurality ofegg supporting cells formed by one set of parallel stripsnin intersection with another set of parallel strips, one setof parallel strips being so formed as to be movable relative to the other set of parallel strips to assume vertical or slanting positions, and being spaced -apart at their connection with the other set of parallel strips a distance slightly less than the width'of eggs to be accommodated within the cells, whei eby upon introduction of a-ILegg into a cell the receiving edges of the two movablestrips 

